We live in a culture where being a “bully” is not only acceptable behavior among many but is also admired. Recently a high school baseball team was involved in a “knockdown drag- out” fight on the field. The coach stood and cheered the “bullies” on and then punished the team payers that refused to participate in the angry event calling them weak! Needless to say, my blood began to boil as I rehearsed the multitude of basic life principles that were being violated and the life lessons lost!
Our little prince and princesses face a world that is nothing like the one we grew up in. They require exceptional preparation in defining right from wrong and exemplary assistance in forming personal warrior convictions. No pressure, mom’s…right? How many parents do you know that are struggling with one or more of their children over issues presented to them from our perverted culture?
Living in our present world, if you live by sound theological convictions, you are likely to be called a “zealot”, “Jesus freak”, a "bible thumper" or even a cultist! The opposing sides in this spiritual battle are becoming clearer and clearer. Rejection is to be accepted, even welcomed, if you stand for something.
Where do you stand?
To torment another person you have to violate that little voice inside that helps us discern right from wrong. Slowly, like the frog in the heating pan of water, we have been desensitized into thinking wrong is right and right is wrong! The culture is dictating its perspective and peer pressure stands firm, pulling harder than ever!
Scripture describes a bully by its many synonymous terms.
Ø Tormenter
Ø Intimidator
Ø Oppressor
Ø Persecutor
Ø Tyrant
Ø Aggressor
Bullies threaten. They terrorize. They attempt to alarm us. They frighten and scare us. They endanger our society by endeavoring to represent those of us who know better and are struggling to get our voice out there!
Be reassured that “right and wrong” was established in Bible times and first recorded in the book of Genesis and the current culture does not define it, change it or alter its course…it can only work at desecrating it. Knowing what is right by God’s standards and acting accordingly frees us from societies domination. Our biblical convictions give us courage to stand against the onslaught on every side. And to those who use the rationalization, “well, it must be acceptable because everyone is doing it”, as an excuse to be participants in what is clearly known to be “wrong”, you will find yourselves in the same line in the end with the cultural idols of our day (Hollywood, comprimising Christians, double-minded believers…).
Israel was exiled for following false gods and the practices of other nations. When warned by God they “would not listen and were stiff-necked. They did not trust their God”. II Kings 17:13-14 They followed worthless practices and themselves became worthless (losing their salt). They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do”!
Are your convictions and practices based on what is scripturally true
or what is presented to you by a corrupted culture??
Who are you imitating?
“But the people who know their God
shall stand firm and take action.”
Daniel 11:32
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
